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The church search is back on! For those of you who don’t know, I’m new to Birmingham and am on a search to find my community. By community I mean church family. I do, in fact, know where I live — fear not.

Yesterday was a much smoother visit than my most previous. If you’re wondering what I mean by that or if your memory needs freshening, you can find the post here: http://theropetab.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/a-comedy-of-errors/.

I decided to try out a church that was required a little extra gas, if you know what I mean. Despite the added miles, I arrived at the church right on time. If this does not impress you, then you obviously don’t know me.

Walking across the parking lot was surprisingly delightful thanks to the jovial greetings of the parking attendants. I almost felt like Dorothy when she was enthusiastically serenaded in Munchkin Land after her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. I never wear my ruby slippers on the right days …

As I walked into the foyer, I was beyond excited to find that not only does this church allow coffee in the sanctuary, they provide it AND breakfast food! Talk about two big checks in the pro column! I was especially pleased by the coffee because I had not yet had filled my caffeine tank — I was wary of grabbing some joe on the way to the church. Again, refer to the above link for further explanation.

So I grab my coffee and set out to find the sanctuary. Since I was at one end of a long hall, it made sense to me to go to the other end of the hall. As I was walking, I heard the chest-thumping bass that indicated I was going in the right direction. At the end of the hall were two double doors with narrow windows in them. Through them I could see a pretty fierce light show, which made me wonder just how this worship service was going to go. I was also starting to make out jumping figures, which was definitely not going to bode well for my filled-to-the-brim coffee cup.

As my apprehension reached its peak my hand was on the door, pulling it open. Just as I stepped inside, my brain jerked into a slideshow of Sherlock Holmes slow-motion observations. Jumping figures, all under five feet. Light-up shoes. Glowing accessories. High-pitched giggles. Is this a rave?

Children’s church. Dang it! If I weren’t wearing my four-inch heels, maybe I could’ve dropped into a hunch that would’ve put Quasimodo to shame and just blended into the crowd. Nooo, I just had to put myself two heads above the kiddos.

My retreat was swifter than Taylor. Fortunately there was a gaggle of lingering moms outside of the door that got a nice giggle out of my walk of shame. It turns out the sanctuary was upstairs. Who knew?

I’ll tell you who knew — the front help desk. Life lesson, guys: Always go to the help desk. They really are helpful.

All in all, I loved the service. The worship was contemporary and genuine. The church was smaller than most that I’ve been to, but it had multiple services, making the church family larger than it seems. The preaching was very practical, hitting me right between the eyes. The pastor had just started a three-part message about the cause of sin within you. I’ve determined that I have to at least attend the church for the next two Sundays just to hear the rest of the message series. Well-played, pastor.

My only misgiving about the church thus far is the distance. It took me about thirty minutes to get to the church from where I live, which is definitely something to consider.

So far, I have two definite options for a church home in Birmingham, along with one that is lingering on the outskirts. Decisions, decisions!

Margaret

The Rope Editor

 

 

Maggie Evans is a regular contributor to The Scroll. She also is special assistant to the editor for The Alabama Baptist/TAB Media. Maggie and her husband, Sam, are members of Iron City Church, Birmingham.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Cassie

    Bahaha! Oh Mags, what an excellent tale!

    1. theropetab

      It was quite embarrassing, Cass. You should come here and be my visiting buddy.

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